Late May trip to the island

[Bigbearchaseme]

Looking for some opinions with the last week of May for a 6 night 7 day trip. Did the same week about 16 years ago and it was great!
55 Deg average temp and trails were not wet at all. A lot easier 16 years ago when you didn't have the web to read and look at average snow falls each year and you just showed up. 2014 sounded like a lot of snow still in May on the island. A little worried since i cant get any confirmation on if the Windigo store will be open or even stocked with fuel and we will be flying in and need to buy enough fuel for 4 people. Time line will be 5-26 to 6-1.

[Ingo]

Last year I went over to Windigo on Memorial Day and they were working on opening things up. Odds are good someone will be there and sell you some fuel even if they aren't officially open yet--stocked could be an issue, but I'm pretty sure they store it over the winter there having bought a rusty can once (it worked fine). Watch for the 2018 Greenstone to come out (https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ ... chures.htm) as it has the opening dates. I'd also consider a twig stove--not ultra light, but I like my Solo Stove. And 2017 was very wet that week .

[johnhens]

We have done many trips the week before Memorial Day. We have usually had one day of snow. Most days were comfortable, some warm. The trails will most likely be muddy particualrly if there is a late snow melt. We usually take the VII. I know we have been able to buy things at the Rock Harbor store Memorial Day weekend. You might want to call the winter number for Forever Resorts and ask about the possibility of buying fuel. You might mail yourself fuel via the VII.

[Bigbearchaseme]

Thanks for the info all, we found out that the Isle Royale sea plane will pre-position fuel for us at Windigo , we feel a lot better now.

[Ingo]

Thanks for the info all, we found out that the Isle Royale sea plane will pre-position fuel for us at Windigo , we feel a lot better now.

Good to know. That's either new, or a has been a well kept secret .

[fonixmunkee]

Late May/early June is my favorite time to visit IR: not many people, no bugs. I've been there when you're going and have hiked through snow, been snowed on, and then never saw snow. It's always a crap-shoot. Don't let "is there going to be snow" worry you. Pack some clothes appropriate for 30 degree nights, don't wear flip-flops, and you'll be just fine.

The store in Windigo being open then is a crap-shoot as well, but as others have mentioned, they've been pretty consistent in having someone there willing to sell you goods (maybe just not with a credit card just yet). You can call them to confirm: Summer: 906-337-4993 or Winter: 866-644-2003

Thanks for the info all, we found out that the Isle Royale sea plane will pre-position fuel for us at Windigo

This is a great tip, thank you. We get lots of these questions on the forums.